Is Privatizing Our PA State Stores a Good Idea?

2 years ago

Allyson Schwartz (D)

I believe that Governor Corbett's fixation on privatization is entirely misguided and wrong for Pennsylvania. However, I do believe that there is room for improvement through modernization and implementation of new rules that will allow us to better serve Pennsylvanians.

Jonathan D. Jewell (I)

In the short term it looks great idea on paper with an influx of cash with the sale of the stores, but I believe the better idea is to partially privatize the state stores and still benefit from long term revenues and store accessibility.

Katie McGinty (D)

I oppose privatization but support modernization of liquor stores by expanding store hours and locations to make it more convenient for consumers while keeping products affordable. By modernizing, we would generate more revenue that I would invest in making college more affordable. Under my plan, I would use additional revenues from liquor store modernization to fund a new Middle Income Opportunity Grant Program and Dream Scholarship program for low-income, high achieving students. You can read more at http://www.katiemcginty.com/issues/college-affordability-plan.

Ken V. Krawchuk (L)

Yes, privatizing the Pennsylvania State Stores is an excellent first step, and follows the lead of virtually every other state. Our alcohol distribution system sorely needs to be brought into the 21st century. Specifically, alcohol should be readily available in grocery stores, and our government-created monopoly on case beer distribution should be ended. Enforcement needs overhauling, too. Suspicionless DUI checkpoints, which violate our inalienable rights, should be scrapped in favor of the more effective roving patrols. We must also stop making criminals out of voting-age Pennsylvanians: we should lower the drinking age to match the voting age.

Rob McCord (D)

I believe that further innovation and modernization will create new and needed revenue for the Commonwealth. So, rather than seeking costly proposals to privatize well-run state programs, I believe we can modernize the PLCB while we preserve the jobs of hardworking Pennsylvanians and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in additional revenue.

Governor Tom Corbett (R)

Pennsylvania should turn the wine and spirits market over to the private sector to create a more convenient shopping experience, similar to what is enjoyed by consumers in 48 other states. A commonsense, convenient system can be implemented that improves the consumer experience while creating a private sector opportunity for job creation, protecting the state's fiscal position and returning the state to its proper position as a regulator, rather than a promoter, of alcohol.

Tom Wolf (D)

I believe trying to privatize state-owned liquor stores is bad public policy — it is inefficient and puts good paying, middle-class jobs at risk. As Secretary of Revenue, I strengthened the Pennsylvania Lottery and directed more money to programs for our seniors without privatizing it. Additionally, I traveled around the state to meet with Revenue Department employees and get their ideas about how to improve the department. With their feedback, I was able to implement changes to modernize the department, and redistribute taxpayer dollars to core programming. As governor, I will take the same approach with the state liquor stores.

Is privatizing our PA State Stores a good idea?

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